Duration of immaturity in the Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris (Temminck)

Abstract

Three marked individuals of the short-tailed shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris (Temminck), first reproduced at 5, 6, and 7 years of age, respectively. Immature birds (pre-breeders) return to the islands on which they were reared at, usually, 3 years of age. These, and the 4-year old birds, visit the rookeries between January and mid Xarch. The non-breeding 5, 6, and 7-year old birds arrive with the breeding adults in November and cease vis~ting the rookeries by mid January.